Dedicated to the Business of Contemporary Live Music
Few people wonder how all that stage gear turns-up for a concert, let alone the hundreds of tons of equipment at major festival sites or stadium shows. But fortunately, pioneered by the owner of a former bread delivery firm in the ‘70s, the UK is home to many of the…
Read moreIt may have started with the simple hire of a few amps, speaker cabinets and an old drum kit, but those now engaged in the hire of backline equipment have generally expanded the services they offer far beyond stage gear and the leading companies say they have never been busier….
Read moreWhether it’s for larger scale tour groups of 100 people or more or smaller productions, travel arrangements need an expert in control, as disruptions need to be addressed instantly or shows can be lost, with significant cost implications. Thankfully the UK has some of the most experienced live show touring…
Read moreAs touring becomes an ever-more important part of a successful artiste’s career, having an expert accountant on board is absolutely essential. It’s not just the varying rates of local income tax, even across the European Union, there are sales tax issues, performance royalty calculations to watch and currency fluctuations to…
Read moreGood sound has always been important, but not always guaranteed in the old days. With the speed of technological advances in recent years and the growing expectations of audiences, not to mention artistes, audio hire companies have to ensure they are always ahead of the game. Claire Bicknell reports. With…
Read moreThe potential challenges of Brexit are on the minds of most tour bus operators, although a spokesman for industry body the Confederation of Passenger Transport believes a rational outcome is likely prevail after 29 March. Meanwhwile, operators interviewed all seem to be experiencing growth. Allan Glen reports Ask any tour…
Read moreIn a sector where enterprise and ingenuity were the essentials to get started, it’s no surprise that the creators of the country’s leading rehearsal spaces saw wider potential and expanded into a host of related services and situations, as Claire Bicknell reports. Having the right ambience and added value touches…
Read moreArguably the most dynamic sector in the business of live music, the UK’s crowded concert ticketing market is dominated by several major players. But innovative smaller operations are holding their own, thanks to emerging technology, and ambitious newcomers are always on the horizon. Christopher Barrett reports Ticketing is a huge…
Read moreNew technology, environmental issues and EU regulations are all impacting the live show lighting sector, but its leading figures and companies are adept at embracing change and are enjoying a buoyant market, as Christopher Barrett reports. Concert and festival lighting is evolving at a remarkable rate. Led by continual innovations…
Read moreThe rise of LED technology has seen screens become a ubiquitous element of concert and festival productions, both behind the artiste and either side of the stage at larger events, with specialist companies providing additional content as well as social media interaction. Christopher Barrett reports Everyone knows that LED screens…
Read moreWith event productions becoming more elaborate and with increasingly complex staging and design, rigging companies are delivering their specialist services with ever-expanding technical skills – and safety is the top priority in this high-risk sector. Claire Bicknell reports. Operating in a sector where working safely is paramount, rigging companies…
Read moreTrucking operators are reporting record business as huge festivals and major concert tours continue to sell well, demanding the delivery of vast amounts of equipment. This despite firms facing challenges ranging from a lack of drivers to rising fuel costs. Chris Barrett reports Using the tag-line “You Rock – We Roll!”, Edwin…
Read moreAs the live music industry continues to grow, with ever more festivals and stadium shows, specialists in supplying backline – the gear artistes use on stage – have been in a race to keep up with technological advances, not to mention musical trends, diversifying into other services along the way. …
Read moreEven if everything runs smoothly, the routine business of booking accommodation and flights around the world for tour groups of up to 100 or more people requires nerves of steel, 24-hour availability, as well as considerable experience and expertise. Chris Barrett reports When it comes to keeping the show on…
Read moreFor a touring artiste, having expert accountancy advice from someone experienced in the financial complexities involved, especially when it comes to working internationally, is essential. After all, money management is what keeps the whole machine working, as Claire Bicknell reports With touring one of the main sources of income…
Read moreWith advancing technology and increasing audience expectations on sound quality, the pressure on live show audio hire companies to help their music clients deliver the best sound on stage is intense. But, the experts in this sector know what works and are on hand 24/7 to ensure it’s delivered. Claire…
Read moreThe United Kingdom is fortunate to have some of the most experienced tour bus operators on the planet. Outside of the US, it was British entrepreneurs who developed Europe’s early specialist tour bus sector, although an Austrian company with UK offices has certainly challenged that dominance. Christopher Barrett reports …
Read moreA changing world, which has seen security tightened due to the threat of terrorism and uncertainty regarding the impact of Brexit, has left specialist freight companies facing fresh challenges. But with an adaptable outlook, technological advances and more global tours than ever business is booming. Tom Pakinkis reports. Those…
Read moreNo longer just a place for acts to run through the set a few times and make sure the crew know what plugs in where, rehearsal studios have become production hubs where artistes of all shapes and sizes prepare for the all-important task of entertaining live audiences. Tom Pakinkis reports…
Read moreNot only are they usually the first point of contact for a music fan attending a concert or festival, but they collect almost all of the money that fuels the rest of the live music industry. It’s not therefore surprising that competition in the sector is fierce and adoption of…
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